A balancing act: developing curricula for balanced care within community psychiatry†

Abstract

Mental health services are moving towards a balanced-care model. The shift recommended by the World Health Organization is currently being reflected only in service delivery, and has not been clearly reflected in the training curriculum. This change in service delivery has implications for teaching and learning. This article looks at how best the curriculum can incorporate aspects of community psychiatry and hospital work for medical students and junior doctors in training. This move towards balanced care also requires teaching staff to consider how to make use of collaborative working and to develop effective working relationships.